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Charges Will Not be Filed in Goodyear Worker's Death Save Email Print
Posted: 7:00 PM Jun 3, 2008
Last Updated: 7:00 PM Jun 3, 2008
Reporter: 13 News

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No criminal charges will be filed in the death of a Goodyear worker, who passed away after being tased by Shawnee County Sheriff's deputies.

Shawnee County District Attorney Robert Hecht released his report Tuesday on the March 29th death of 59-year old Walter Haake.

The report says Haake had suffered a head injury in a fall at his home the night before his death. It says Haake had been incoherent at work and fellow workers tried to deter him from driving when he left the plant. Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputies were called in when Haake refused to get out of his vehicle.

"Mre Haake physcially resisted removal, leaving the officers in the position of simply leaving him in the vehicle and letting the medical condition play out or using such force as may be required to remove him," Hecht wrote in the report.

The deputies chose to remove Haake by tazing him, then restraining him. The coroner ruled that an existing heart condition, combined with the compression to his chest when he was placed on the ground to be handcuffed, led to his death.

The DA's office will not take legal action. Hecht says evidence did not show deputies, AMR or Goodyear personnel acted recklessly.

Shawnee County Sheriff Richard Barta says he expected the findings in Hecht's report. He says he feels the deputies involved acted with good intentions in what was an "unfortunate situation."

Barta says policies have been examined in the wake of the incident. He says the coroner's report referred to the position in which Haake was placed when he was handcuffed, so he does plan training on handcuffing techniques.

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Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Jun 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Righttttttttt, the coroner called it "compression asphxya" in other words, someone sat on him till he died. where in medical knowlege is this procedure? he sure got all the help he needed to die.

Posted by: Jason Location: Johnson County on Jun 6, 2008 at 01:14 PM
I pray that a cop never tries to "help" me.

Posted by: anonymous Location: california on Jun 5, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Inhumane: corrupt: there are so many ways to describe what you have done. It is unbelievably sad that so many American's have lost sight of right and wrong. Your policeman took away a man's life, using techniques that are producing the same results over and over...and it's always followed by no accountability. Your DA, your sherrif and your police force are beyond contempt. I feel so sorry for this man's family. They have to live with this memory knowing there will be no justice for their loved one.

Posted by: anonymous1004 Location: your home town on Jun 5, 2008 at 10:59 PM
absolutely shocking. You hicks that think this is OK are what is wrong with America. You think this is normal?? You honestly believe this is right? What about this looks even remotely like anything other than a blatant abuse of power? What kind of Jim Jones KoolAid have you all been drinking???

Posted by: bill Location: topeka on Jun 5, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Tasers don't kill! They were only trying to help! Police are our friends! Even when they kill sick people!

Posted by: anonymous Location: topeka on Jun 5, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Lets see here SHAWNEE county sheriffs deputy SHAWNEE county coroner SHAWNEE county district attorney. Seems SHAWNEE county can get away with anything, even MURDER

Posted by: tom Location: riley ks on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:49 AM
after seeing such common use of taser use in law enforcment the pupblic should be afraid for any relitiv having epelepse disorders sesuer disorders or any medical implants.and HECK? he is just another well what ever...it is ok.just another cop kill.in topeka.haing lived in kc forever this cop chief well glad ya have him.SORRY... ''THESE TASERS SHOULD BE OUTLAWD'' thay have killed alot of folk that realy did not need it hoh many more????

Posted by: Rightttttttttt. Location: Topeka on Jun 4, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Lets see, EMts and deputies respond to a medical emergency. Individual was decribed as incoherent. Deputies had his car keys and had the individual blocked in, they told him they were going to tase him, he was incoherent. After placing him on the ground and kneeling on him, and placing handcuffs on him with his arms behind his back, a medical emergency was noted and care was provided by EMTs. If there had not been a medical emergency EMTs and deputies would not have been called in the first place. The District Attorney has decided that Mr Haake, who was discribed as incoherent acted "recklessly" as the term is defined in the crimminal justice system, how about in the Emergency Medical system Mr Hecht, I do so hope that if you ever become disoreinted, and incoherent that you receive the same protect and service assistance that Mr Haake received. If this does not go on as a federal civil rights case, the system is totally with out merit.

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Jun 4, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Sure, taser him, and sit on his chest so he cant breathe till hes dead, just normal department procedure. theres nothing in CPR about sitting on someones chest to help them.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Sure if all else fails just taize the man, don't find out what is truly is going on with the guy. And of course the police would not get in trouble that would be admitting they did something wrong.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008 at 07:45 AM
the only ones that are here posting that you need to fear the police are the criminals themselves. Possibly the parents of criminals, who despite their long track records, believe their children can do no wrong. these cops were there to HELP. They tried to save the mans life! VERY sadly it didn't work. My heart goes out to his family, but there was no malicious intent on the part of the officers, and ANY SINGLE ONE of you that feels there was, is truly ignorant.

Posted by: Saddened Location: Topeka on Jun 4, 2008 at 06:55 AM
To "Safer?"...I believe it's been stated before that his keys were already taken, he wasn't going to drive anywhere, so he couldn't pass out on the road. As far as physical force, have you ever been tazed THREE times, when most protocols say it should only be used once? I certainly hope that his family files a civil suit. Thanks Mr. Hecht, you've helped me decide not to vote for you. As for TPD, I should've gone to the testing program last weekend, nothing says "Protect and serve" like being able to kill somebody and get away with it.

Posted by: Safer? on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:24 PM
"I personally think if they had left him alone he would have become unconscious or fallen asleep" Yes, very good thinking let him pass out while driving down the road. People need to understand he was not only in danger but if allowed to leave would have put everybody on the in danger. Dont get me wrong I am sorry it ended the way it did. What would the outsrys have been if nothing was done and he caused an accident killing innocent motorists. Also if you know anything about head injuries they can cause people to become combative. So instead of tazing I guess they should have used physical force against this man in the likes of their batons or such. I have been tazed and would rather take that any day over a baton strike or pepper spray. Liberal people liek you is why criminals rule the streets, GET A CLUE!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:10 PM
oh, shut up people!! why waste your life away complaining about everything!! i hope when you all are in need of help during an emergency you don't get it!

Posted by: J on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I am thankful that there were no charges against the deputies! They were simply doing their job. Tom, would you really have wanted a man with a head injury to fall asleep and what...never wake up? I swear...then you all would blame law enforcement for not acting in a timely fashion, and you know it. My sympathy to the Haake family, and good to know these deputies' reputations will be cleared! THIS is why names aren't released...if they had released the names, when it was found that no charges would be filed, the public would know their names and potentially harass them. Good job, Hecht!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:26 PM
No big surprise here!

Posted by: tom Location: topeka on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:38 PM
And you wonder why law abiding citizens fear the police... I hope my friends don't want to help me out and call the police. I personally think if they had left him alone he would have become unconscious or fallen asleep. It was unfortunate that he ended up dead. The authorities may find no fault but, several people will have many many sleepless nights !

Posted by: anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Let's taser him to make sure he's okay. No evidence except the coroner's report that the compression to his chest played a part in his death. If nothing was done wrong, then why the need for training? Just some things to think about.